On the board!

•Lookman (two goals), Simon (three assists) lead Eagles’ AFCON goal contribution

Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon have emerged as Nigeria’s most offensive players in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with two goals and three assists, respectively, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Lookman, who is doubtful for Monday’s final Group D qualifying fixture against Rwanda due to injury, joins a list of 49 players who have scored at least two goals in the qualification series, with Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy leading the chart with five goals in just two matches.

The Atalanta forward’s brace puts him on par with the likes of Morocco’s Youssef En-Nesyri, DR Congo’s Meschack Elia, and Super Eagles teammate Victor Osimhen, who have all scored twice, although most have played more games than the Nigerian duo.
Simon, meanwhile, has been one of the standout creators in the series, with his three assists, leaving him joint second on the assist chart with Egypt’s Mohamed Hamdy, South Africa’s Oswin Appollis, and Uganda’s Allan Okello. Only Mozambique’s Bruno Langa has more assists, with four to his name.

The Nantes winger’s creative prowess has been crucial to Nigeria’s qualification with a game to spare, as the Eagles sit atop Group D with 11 points from five matches. His ability to create chances has been particularly evident at home, where his pace and crossing ability have troubled opposition defences.

While Lookman and Simon lead Nigeria’s contributions, their tallies fall short of the tournament’s leading scorers. Guirassy’s remarkable five goals in two games for Guinea sets him apart, followed by Morocco’s Brahim Díaz with four goals in three matches.
However, Simon can still finish as the top goal provider if he pays against Rwanda on Monday, depending on the result of the match at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

A group of experienced African stars, including Senegal’s Sadio Mané, Cape Verde’s Ryan Mendes, Ivory Coast’s Jean-Phillipe Krasso, Algeria’s Amine Gouiri, and Egypt’s Trézéguet, have all managed three goals in the qualifiers, underscoring the competitive nature of the scoring chart.

The Nigerian duo’s contribution has been vital in securing early qualification, with the Super Eagles heading into the final day of the qualifiers.
Their link-up play, particularly evident in home matches, has provided much-needed creativity in Austin Eguavoen’s tactical setup.

However, both players might miss Monday’s dead rubber match, with Lookman nursing an injury from Thursday’s 1-1 draw against Benin Republic in Ivory Coast, adding to Eguavoen’s selection concerns.

The team will also be without first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who has been excused following his father’s death, and defender Ola Aina, who has returned to England at the request of his club Nottingham Forest ahead of their Premier League clash with Arsenal.

In the assists category, several players have registered two assists, including Burkina Faso’s Issa Kaboré, Kenya’s Erick Otieno, Benin’s Junior Olaitan, Algeria’s Ramiz Zerrouki, and Gabon’s Guélor Kanga, highlighting the competitive nature of the creative rankings.
With qualification secured, Eguavoen might use Monday’s game to test fringe players as the Eagles aim to maintain their unbeaten run in the qualifiers.

The match against Rwanda presents an opportunity for other attackers to add to Nigeria’s goal contribution statistics.

The Eagles’ offensive reputation, led by Lookman and Simon, puts them among the most efficient attacking teams in the qualifiers, although they still trail the likes of Morocco, Guinea, and Senegal in terms of overall goal contribution.

Among the 53 participating nations, Nigeria’s attacking numbers place them in the upper echelons of offensive output, with Lookman and Simon’s combined contributions accounting for a significant portion of the team’s qualifying campaign success.

Their performance becomes even more impressive, considering the fact they achieved these numbers in fewer games than many of their continental counterparts, with some players on the scoring chart having played up to five matches compared to their four appearances.